The game combines collectible card elements with action RPG battle mechanics to create a truly unique title unlike any other. Players will use unlocked cards to build pre-constructed decks to add a random element to each and every match, while action RPG battles at random points during a match make Hand of Fate the most interactive card game most gamers will have ever seen. Some presentation issues and poor AI keep the game from achieving its full potential, but card game fans are sure to have fun with the new title regardless.
Each match of Hand of Fate is its own storyline. The game is played on tabletop with randomized cards drawn from a deck to craft short narratives. The storylines are similar to something players would experience in a game of Dungeons & Dragons with multiple ways to interact with character encounters and decisions of whether or not to engage with certain enemies encountered through missions. Text and player options are well written in Hand of Fate and give players plenty of ways to randomize and experience the game with each new quest.
There are two modes of play featured in Hand of Fate. Most players will enjoy the game's main story mode, where a series of challenges await players with an increase in difficulty for each new level unlock. Quests begin with the dealer randomizing the board with cards that players will travel across to reach the end of the quest. Each new card will be flipped and give players a new character interaction, battle or other surprise. Endless mode is also available and is similar to story mode, but the match never ends, so the goal is simply to last against the dealer's challenges for as long as possible.
There are plenty of different cards to see throughout Hand of Fate. Some are quest specific and include a variety of events such as healing, adding additional food to the player's inventory, enemy encounters or character interactions that gives players a variety of ways to react to a given situation. Players can also customize their decks with different weapons, armor, shields and other items needed to construct a full deck. Additional cards can be unlocked through playing the game and obtaining tokens to trade for new cards. There are enough cards to unlock and deck options to give Hand of Fate plenty of longevity for gamers that enjoy collectible card games.
Deckbuilding and randomized is a large part of the game, but players will encounter plenty of enemies during quests in Hand of Fate. Battles typically occur in mountain canyons, clearings in the woods and other terrain cards, while some cards allow players to choose whether or not to fight enemies for a reward. The action changes to a third-person action RPG when battles begin. Enemies are easy to fight in Hand of Fate, and most battles can be completed by mashing the same combo over and over again. Players will need to quickly dispose of enemies that will disappear and take rewards with them as they go if they are not dealt with. Hand of Fate isn't a very difficult game, and combat can feel repetitive and dull thanks to poor AI that makes fights simply too easy to complete.
Hand of Fate has some issues in its presentation that break immersion and hinder the experience. The game's graphics look fine on PC but can get a bit choppy and suffer frame drops on PlayStation 4 and even more often on Xbox One. Similarly, sound can drop while playing on PC and really distract players away from the action on-screen. The game is easy to pick up and play with simple controls across all platforms. Hand of Fate isn't broken, but there are enough issues in the game to offer more than just a little distraction while playing the game on any platform.
Hand of Fate offers a fun collectible card game with action battles that break up the repetitiveness seen in many card games. Had enemy AI been designed better and forced more complex and entertaining combat, Hand of Fate could have been one of the most unique and best games of 2015. Still, the game is a solid experience that card game fans will enjoy. Plenty of unlocks, customizable decks and randomized quests offer players enough reasons to keep playing the game for many, many hours, even with only two ways to play the game. Hand of Fate is out now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Hand of Fate is now available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC and can be purchased for $19.99. For more information on the game, check out the official Hand of Fate website.
Game Features:
- Single Player
- Mixes Collectible Card Game and Action RPG Mechanics
- Dozens of Unlockable Cards and Custom Deck Building
- Story Mode and Endless Mode
- Trophy/Achievement Support
Game Information:
Developer & Publisher: Defiant Development
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One (reviewed) & PC
Release Date: February 17, 2015
